Six Common Misconceptions About Wearing Glasses – Make Sure to Be Aware!

Misconception 1: Wearing glasses causes my prescription to worsen quickly

In reality, the progression of nearsightedness is not significantly influenced by wearing glasses, but rather by changes in the eye’s refractive state. If the factors that contribute to nearsightedness—such as lack of outdoor activity or excessive eye strain—remain, the degree of myopia will continue to worsen, regardless of whether or not glasses are worn.

Misconception 2: It’s better to have a slightly lower prescription

When prescribing glasses for myopia, the goal is to ensure the clearest vision at the smallest possible prescription that allows for the best visual acuity. For example, if a 300-degree prescription provides perfect 1.0 vision, 275 degrees also provides clear vision, but 250 degrees only provides 0.8 vision, then the prescription should be 275 degrees. If the prescription is too low, the eyes will not be able to see clearly in the most relaxed state, which can lead to eye fatigue and cause the retina's image to be blurry. In the long run, this can actually accelerate the progression of nearsightedness.

Misconception 3: Wearing glasses will change the shape of the eyeball

As myopia progresses, the length of the eye’s axial length increases, especially in cases of high myopia (over 1000 degrees), where the axial length is much longer than normal, sometimes causing the eyes to appear more prominent. However, this is not related to the glasses themselves.

Misconception 4: Glasses don’t need to be worn all the time

Current mainstream advice suggests that glasses should be worn consistently to ensure the best visual quality. Only those with very mild nearsightedness (under 200 degrees) may not need to wear glasses for close-up tasks, provided they can see clearly. However, if the nearsightedness is moderate to severe or if there is astigmatism, glasses should be worn at all times for optimal vision.

Misconception 5: Pupil dilation during an eye exam is harmful

Pupil dilation does not harm the eyes; the pupil will return to normal size a few days after the examination. For children and students, dilating the pupils during an eye exam provides a more accurate measurement of the prescription, helping to avoid misdiagnoses.

Misconception 6: No need for follow-up exams after getting glasses

It is important to have regular eye check-ups after getting glasses to monitor changes in prescription. At least one annual check-up is recommended to ensure the prescription is still appropriate and to catch any significant changes early on.